MARK CARRINGTON says manager Sam Ricketts has shown he is a born winner and eager to be a success with Wrexham.

Former Wales international Ricketts has taken over his first managerial role at The Racecourse and welcomed his players back for pre-season training this week.

A vastly experienced defender who played for the likes of Oxford, Swansea City, Hull, Bolton Wanderers, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Coventry, Ricketts also won 52 caps for his country before hanging up his boots in November 2016 because of a knee injury.

Carrington says it is evident that Ricketts, who was Wolves U16s lead coach before taking charge of Wrexham, played at a high level and he believes the 36-year-old won't let his standards drop as a manager.

"He has been really good," said Carrington. "The sessions have been good and I think everyone is enjoying it.

"He has been really good around the place, he seems nice and relaxed, and just wants to get the best out of the lads.

"You can see that he has been a top player, he has played at the highest level, and you can see that in him where he just wants to be the best at everything he does.

"I am sure he wants to do that as a manager."

Carrington is one of 12 players under contract for the 2018-19 campaign, with seven released at the end of last season and Sam Wedgbury leaving by mutual consent.

Midfielder Luke Young, who has joined from Torquay United, is the only new signing to date and Carrington says it is noticeable that the core of the squad has been kept together unlike in previous years when wholesale changes have been made by various managers.

"A lot of lads have gone out of the door but we have kept a good core together from last year," said Carrington.

"Turning up at pre-season this year was just like we haven't been away.

"In the past it has been a case of getting to know a lot of new faces over the first few weeks but this year we have hit the ground running because everybody knows each other.

"There has only been one new addition so far and a few lads on trial but on the whole everyone knows each other."

Wrexham missed out on the play-offs last season following a dreadful run-in and Carrington accepts some changes to the squad were inevitable, with more new signings due to arrive before the Reds' 11th campaign in non-league kicks off.

"We did well last year but it is about where you end and we didn't finish where we wanted to finish," said Carrington.

"There was going to be changes and hopefully it will make us stronger this season."

Wrexham face Welsh National League side Lex XI in their opening pre-season friendly at Stansty Park tomorrow night and Carrington is looking forward to getting some match action.

"You can do as much training as you want and as much training as you want but nothing compares to playing in games," added Carrington.

"It has come early but it is what we need.

"We need to start playing games and it will be nice to get the first one out of the way."